The long-awaited first board meeting of the Tony Blair Sports Foundation in Newcastle had to be cancelled this morning due to the snow.

I'm on the board with Tanni Grey-Thompson, Steve Cram and North Durham MP Hilary Armstrong and, now the foundation has charitable status, we were looking forward to our first meeting.

But I got a call early this morning from chief executive Jeanette Pickard, saying it was unwise to go ahead.

The foundation has been sent up to raise money to invest in grass roots sport - but it doesn't cover skiiing.

By the way, if you think this weather's bad, this 1964 picture published in The Northern Echo this morning should act as a reminder that it can get a lot worse.